Save the date: EU Sustainable Energy Week 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017 — EU Sustainable Energy Week is back for its 12th edition. It takes place in Brussels from 19 to 25 June 2017 to promote energy-saving and renewables and is complemented by a two-month series of events around Europe.

This year’s theme is ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’, inspired by the European Commission’s package of proposals to put consumers and growth at the heart of the sustainable energy transition. Sessions organised by the European Commission and energy stakeholders debate policy developments, best practices, initiatives and ideas that support Europe’s move towards clean, secure and efficient power as part of the Energy Union.

The Policy Conference

The highlight of EUSEW is the EUSEW Policy Conference, from 20 to 22 June in Brussels’ Schuman district. The most important European conference dedicated to sustainable energy policy issues, it brings together representatives from the European Commission, public authorities, energy agencies, industry associations, businesses, civil society organisations and the media.

The Networking Village

Parallel to the conference is the Networking Village. This is an opportunity to explore policies and projects with stakeholders and meet like-minded participants for future cooperation. The Networking Village offers five types of activities:

An exhibition area, with stands from EU Institutions and partner organisations for in-depth exchanges;

The networking area, for a rolling series of half-day presentations and other activities from stakeholders;

The Speakers’ Corner, for varied 15-minute talks from delegates on innovative initiatives, followed by lively, sort Q&A sessions;

One-to-one meetings on themes at the conference, set up by participants directly through a match-making app (PRESDO);

A SparkShow, an innovative game-style debate where a panel of journalists quiz project representatives after a three-minute project pitch.

The EU Sustainable Energy Awards

The EU Sustainable Energy Awards will also be announced on the first day of the conference at a prestigious ceremony. These awards recognise outstanding innovations in energy efficiency and renewables. Winners will be chosen from a shortlist of 12 of the year’s more successful projects for sustainable energy, with prizes from an expert jury in four categories (consumers, public sector, businesses, energy islands) and a further Citizens’ Award chosen through a public vote.

Energy Days

Held around Europe throughout May and June 2017 to complement EUSEW, these are activities organised by private citizens, consumer associations, public bodies, city networks, energy agencies, trade and industry organisations, businesses and NGOs to promote energy efficiency and renewables. They are targeted at diverse audiences, from families interested in saving energy to industries keen to green their technology.

Any activity can be an Energy Day, as long as it engages citizens and energy stakeholders in building the Energy Union. Events can be in any region in the European Union or country eligible for Horizon 2020 funding. Events can take place over any length of time, from a few hours to the whole Energy Week month.